How Andor Finally Fixes Solo’s Biggest Star Wars Story Flaw

by

Andor stands out as an exceptional addition to the Star Wars universe for numerous reasons. It offers a realistic view of the galaxy, skillfully tackles central themes from the saga with depth and sophistication, boasts compelling and well-developed characters, among other merits. However, what truly sets Andor apart in Star Wars is its exploration of moral complexities and grey areas, contrasting the earlier portrayal that may have appeared overly simplistic with shades of black and white.

In the narrative of Andor, we see a marked improvement over one of the main issues with the final act of Solo: A Star Wars Story. Unlike the latter’s conclusion, which seemed overly straightforward and clichéd in terms of setting up the Rebel Alliance, Andor has revolutionized storytelling to such an extent that it gives a fresh perspective to the ending of Solo, making it more impactful.

How Solo: A Star Wars Story Relates To The Rebel Alliance At Large

The production of the movie “Solo: A Star Wars Story” had its own set of problems. The process of making this spin-off was so chaotic that the original directors, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, were let go during filming. This forced Lucasfilm to find a quick replacement, which turned out to be Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard. Despite early doubts and later criticism, the movie is more impressive than it’s been given credit for. It offers exceptional acting by Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo and Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, making it a largely self-contained film.

The film struggles slightly in its direct link to the broader mythology established in the original trilogy. Towards the end of the movie, Han Solo hands over the stolen coaxium from the legendary Kessel Run to Enfys Nest and her Cloud-Riders. In return, Enfys explains that the coaxium is not merely fuel for their aircraft, but instead, it symbolizes “the life force giving rise to something novel: a rebellion.

In this particular movie, it’s satisfying to see Han’s character growth, but the suggestion that his kindness alone fuels the entire rebellion seems somewhat far-fetched. It gives the impression of a small, confined story within the grand universe of Star Wars. For instance, in The Force Awakens, Han Solo’s coincidental loss of the Millennium Falcon to a villager from the same Jakku village as Rey and Finn feels too convenient, and similarly, the ending of Rogue One leads directly into A New Hope, making the Star Wars universe feel narrow instead of expansive. The notion that one person could single-handedly supply the Rebel Alliance with fuel is simplistic and frustrating on a narrative level; the idea that this person is Han Solo is downright problematic.

How Andor Is Redefining The Entire Rebellion Movement From The Ground Up

Following the release of Andor, the climactic scene in Solo seems less conclusive and harsh. By exploring the years preceding the events of Rogue One and A New Hope, Andor delves into more than just Cassian Andor’s beginnings as a rebel; it also sheds light on the Rebel Alliance’s formative years. In the capable hands of Tony Gilroy, the genesis of the Rebellion is complex, intricate, and fragmented in captivating ways. The Empire’s tight control over the galaxy has sparked uprisings of various kinds from diverse corners of the galaxy, and the central struggle in Andor revolves around the characters’ efforts to forge unity among these disparate factions.

Since the timeline of Solo occurs 10 years before the Battle of Yavin depicted in A New Hope, while Andor starts in 5 BBY, this means that the rebellion portrayed in Andor significantly affects how Han Solo’s gifted fuel to Enfys Nest and her Cloud-Riders was eventually used. As of now, we don’t know what happened to Enfys Nest after the events in any films, TV shows, or expanded media, but considering Andor’s developments, it’s reasonable to infer that Enfys Nest didn’t establish the official Rebel Alliance with the fuel she obtained from Han Solo. Instead, she might have been instrumental in initiating a rebellion as she suggests, although not necessarily the one we know as the Rebellion. This offers a more compelling narrative for the film Solo, the series Andor, and Star Wars as a whole.

Andor Is Proof That Star Wars Can Be More Than It Is As Currently Constructed Under Disney And Lucasfilm

1977 marked the global phenomenon of Star Wars due to its blend of serialized storytelling and fairy tale elements. Yet, 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back saw George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, and director Irvin Kershner delving deeper into the intricacies and subtleties within the moral landscape laid out in the initial film. Darth Vader was no longer just a villain in black with a terrifying breathing mask; he was revealed as the hero’s father, challenging the clear-cut distinction between good and evil. The series explored the murky territories between them. Similarly, Andor has achieved a similar reevaluation in the way it approaches spin-offs like Solo.

Read More

2025-05-01 00:10